2015 EngineerGirl Essay Contest - Engineering in Sports

Engineers are essential to the way we live. They help to keep us safe and healthy, make sure we have enough to eat, get us from one place to another, and they even shape the way we play. Consider your favorite sport, and then think about all the different kinds of technologies that are used in playing, scoring, or training for that sport. From something as seemingly-simple as the fabric for a uniform to high-speed cameras and biosensors, technology is essential to the way we experience sports, and engineers make all those technologies possible!

In your own words describe ONE technology used in a sport that you enjoy, and tell how different types of engineers contributed to its design and manufacture. Explain why the technology was developed (What problem were the engineers trying to solve?). Explain the constraints engineers faced in developing a solution and why specific design choices were made (i.e., Would adding functionality make it too big or too fragile or would a stronger design be too expensive?). Describe the design process that engineers will use to improve the technology in the future. Include details about how different engineering disciplines may be involved in that process.

All essays must be original work, and resources must be clearly cited. Guidelines for length are indicated below:

Grades 3–5: 400 to 700 words

Grades 6–8: 600 to 1100 words

Grades 9–12: 1000 to 1500 words

We want to hear from you! Make sure to review the Contest Requirements and FAQs, and submit your essay by March 1, 2015 at 6:00 pm EST.

Want to see an example of Engineering in Sports. Check out this video!